American Canyon and Vallejo delegates to an Oakland environmental summit this week expressed conflicting views on how a proposed "sustainable communities strategy" would impact their cities and beyond.

"I attended the summit because I expected to hear both sides of the issue, but both sides weren't presented," American Canyon City Councilman Ed West said. "It was really a pep rally for SB 375."

There is an effort under way to delay the bill's implementation until the state's unemployment rate falls to 5.5 percent or below for at least a year.

Suggestions for reducing air pollution include "smart-growth" land uses, with housing and commercial centers built close enough together so that instead of driving, people could walk, ride a bike or take the bus.

Solano County Supervisor Barbara Kondylis, who represents Vallejo, said she thinks the environmental issues outweigh any other concerns.

"This is such an important issue for future generations, that if we don't get involved, our grandchildren and great-grandchildren will pay a high price, and that's not right," Kondylis said.

In that capacity, Burnett said he thinks that if properly implemented, the bill "could work for Vallejo," but as a Vallejo resident, he thinks "Mr. West also has a point."

"West expressed his and (others) opposition to the 'sustainable communities strategies' due to the perceived negative impact on economic growth and employment problems that may be associated with it, especially in a down economy," Burnett said.

Vallejo and American Canyon are both struggling with economic issues and neither has a large jobs base, meaning most people living there commute out of the area to work, Burnett said.

But Kondylis said rethinking land use patterns and offering incentives to change other behaviors can make a difference. And cooperation is key, she said.

"If we stop building these sprawling subdivisions so you can't get a quart of milk without driving somewhere, might help, for instance," she said. "The city of Benicia has already come up with a climate action plan, so it's not that it can't be done, it's about the will to do it."